'66 HD Rear Springs

[dan.donna.m@xxxxxxx]

Hi Roger & Gabby!! I'm not sure, but you could have been referring to me and 
the problems I was having with getting those #@%$^&$$# rear springs back on 
my '66 convertible a few months ago. I got them from ESPO's Springs & Things. 
I forgot the actual costbut if you need it I can go check the book and get 
you the exact $$$. I also ordered new shackels/bushings and U-clamps for 
attaching the springs to the axel itself. Although I could possibly have 
reused some I figured that after so long a time and so many miles I may as 
well add NEW whatever I could, and the cost for the bushings/shackels was 
minimal. The lady I spoke with at ESPO's was very helpful and really seemed 
to know her stuff. In my case, since my car is a 'convertible' the spec's for 
the springs themselves are a little different than on, say, a 2-dr or 4-dr 
vehicle. The convertible, being a bit heavier, has different 'arc' 
and 'radius' figures than the 2/4 dr models would have.
Getting the springs themselves back in place was the hardest part of the 
job!!!! don't be surprised if you start looking for new cuss words as it was 
not unusual it get everything 'almost' lined up and not be able to force the 
rear axel just another 1/4 inch or less to get the alignment pins to fall 
into place. I eventually got out the good-old 'come-along' and managed to get 
everything to fall in place. What I think (?) happened is that after 
disconnecting the springs, shackels, and everything else that actually holds 
the rear axel in place, the axel itself may have slipped back (towards the 
rear ) when the pressure was removed keeping the driveshaft  in the 
trans......it may have moved just enough to cause the problem. If I had to do 
it again ( and I might have to!) I would try and come up with some way to 
keep pressure on the axel/driveshaft itself so it would NOT try and backout 
of the trans.
I say I may have to go thru this again since the drivers side of the car is 
still sitting 1 inch lower than the passenger side. ever since putting on the 
new springs. I really do not think it is the springs themselves and I have 
spoken to the people at ESPO's a few times asking if they have had a problem 
on any other similiar springs. They tell me these springs are made in sets of 
12 pieces, meaning 6-sets of two springs. And they have had no one else 
complain at all about one spring being lower than the other. They said the 
only REAL way to tell if its the springs is to change the left on with the 
right one, but as you might imagine I am not in any hurry to go thru that 
again......although I just might go ahead and bite-the-bullet over the winter 
and see if it does either correct the problem or confirm it...if I can be of 
any help feel free to contact me directly at: "dan.donna.m@xxxxxxx"
Good Luck and Happy Holidays!!!!
Dan Melnik
> I replaced my rear springs on my 66 crown coupe and I got them from Kanters 
> I also replaced the rear springs on my 63 from the same source.
> 
> Fitting is a pain but can be achieved if you persvere, if yo9u get into 
> trouble ask me I know how.
> 
>                                                      David
> 
> 
> >From: FltSgt@xxxxxxx
> >Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >To: Mailing-List@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >Subject: IML: '66 HD Rear Springs
> >Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 21:02:32 EST
> >
> >Hola
> >
> >Who was the owner of a '66 who replaced their rear springs ?  I'm looking 
> >for
> >the name of the company who supplied them.
> >
> >                                      Rodger & Gabby
> >                                      Colo Spgs
> >
> >ps
> >the rear bumper rides a little low & the tow hitch drags when I leave the
> >drive way past .01 mph
> >
> >